How to Create a Small Space Garden

Creating a garden for small spaces can make a big impact, and you’d be surprised how much you can fit in. This guide will show you how to turn a small space like a courtyard or patio into something special.

Planning

With clever planning you can transform even the most compact outdoor space.

You don’t need to have garden beds to plant in a small space, there are a lot of things you can use instead - growing in pots or containers, hanging baskets, or even creating a living wall are all great options. And there are a huge range of plants you can choose from.

• The first thing you need to do is to draw up a plan. Think about the type and size of the plants you want. Plus, think about the size, shape, and colour of your pots or containers.
• In this space we’ll be making a living wall, and planting it with some native plants to go with the rest of the garden. This will make a nice permanent feature in the garden, and makes good use of our space.
• We’ll also use some pots, and using the same design principles as you would in a big garden, we will have a large feature plant – in this case a palm. We will then plant a medium-sized filler plant.
• We will also use hanging baskets either side of the living wall, giving it some nice symmetry.

Plant Type

Most plants can be grown in pots, containers, and living walls. But think about where they’ll be situated. If they’ll be in the shade, or in full sun, then choose accordingly as different plants need different growing environments. Here are a few options that grow well in pots or containers:

• Shrubs - These are best planted on their own in one large pot as a feature, or as a centrepiece with potted colour around the base. Evergreen or deciduous shrubs are suitable.
• Perennials - There are many flowering perennials that are great for pots and hanging baskets. There are also many attractive large leafed perennials, such as hostas, which do well when grown in containers.
• Annuals - For instant effect and a colourful display all season, flowering annuals are the easiest way to create colourful pots and hanging baskets for sun and shade. The potted colour can be changed with the seasons.
• Flowering bulbs - Spring and summer flowering bulbs are great in pots. Consider Spring for a splash of instant colour or Summer Flowering bulbs for longer flowering colour during summer which are perfect for pots.
• Succulents - These require little maintenance and can stay in the same pot for several years as they do not require regular feeding. When planting succulents, mix in some fine gravel with the potting mix to add more drainage for these dry-loving plants.
• Natives - Natives are perfect for year round foliage and colour in any small garden. Consider a wide choice of types including Deschampsia and Carex “Feather Falls” will do well as will Fuscia.

Containers & Pots

Growing plants in containers is easy. You can move them around to expose them to better conditions and you don’t have to tolerate difficult soil that prevents you from growing certain plants. They also require more care than plants in the ground. It is important to consider the type of container you’ll be using:

The container needs to be the right size for the plants – large plants need large containers as small containers will restrict the roots, hindering growth and causing the plants to dry out faster. Larger containers tend to be a little easier to look after as they are less prone to drying out.

Think about the shape of the container. A narrow base will be prone to toppling over if it isn’t supported well. Also, containers that are smaller at the top than the bottom, or even the middle, make it virtually impossible to save the plant inside when re-potting as the roots will fill out wider than the opening.

Containers need to allow water to drain to ensure the plant’s roots won’t be sitting in water, which can cause the plant to drown or begin to rot. If your container doesn’t have holes then your plants won’t survive, so you will need to create some holes yourself. Placing scoria or broken terracotta in the bottom of the container is also a good idea to aid drainage.

The material the container is made of will impact the plant as all materials handle water and heat differently. Containers made from materials such as terracotta and wood absorb water easily, so will dry out the potting mix quicker. This means you’ll need to water the plant more frequently. Containers made from materials such as plastic, foam and glazed clay don’t absorb water so the potting mix will be moist for longer. The material of the container also affects the temperature of the plant. For example, plastic absorbs heat easily which means the plant can heat up very quickly in strong sunlight, whereas materials such as glazed clay don’t absorb the heat, so better protect the plant from intense heat. Containers that are darker in colour will also absorb more heat.

Timing

• You can create your small space garden any time of the year - but certain plants may not be available.
• If you’re planting summer bedding plants, herbs, or veggies then plant in late spring.
• For winter bedding plants, or veggies, plant in early autumn.

Location

If your small space is shady or sunny, just make sure you have the right plants to tolerate your conditions.

Soil

A potting mix like Pot Power is ideal as it contains fertilisers and wetting agents that’ll give you plants a better environment to grow in. Using garden soil or compost isn’t recommended as compost generates heat, which can burn the plant’s roots. And garden soil will compact, starving the plant of oxygen and fertiliser. It also increases the risk of pests and diseases.

Building a Living Wall

Living walls can be purchased in a pack, and attached to most vertical surfaces like fences, weatherboards, and brick or concrete. Our living wall will be attached to a fence. Wooden battens are simply screwed to the fence, and the planter boxes onto them.

• Start by placing the battens against your surface and figure out the height you want your living wall to be, and mark it off. Use a level to transfer this height across.
• Mark out your screw positions on the batten while it’s in place. It’s best to screw through to a fence rail if possible.
• Pre-drill the batten and screw it in place.
• Measure the holes on the planter box to see how far apart your battens need to be, and then attach the next one.
• The planter boxes are simply screwed to the battens, and are removable. Position them while they’re empty, and mark where your screws need to be.

Planting a Living Wall

• The planting is pretty simple, and how you arrange them is up to you.
• First, add some potting mix to the box, leaving room for the plants.
• Remove the plants carefully from their container.
• Space them evenly in the box, back filling with potting mix. Press them in.
• Hang your boxes up.
• Give them a watering. With this living wall set you simply water the top level, and the water will drip down to the lower layers.

Planting in Pots & Containers

• Pots and containers require good drainage, because if the plant sits in water it could easily drown or begin to rot. So make sure your pot has holes in the bottom.
• To help with the drainage, place a layer of rocks in the bottom.
• Add some potting mix. Don’t fill it all the way up, leave some room for your plant.
• Next, gently remove the plant from its container, and place it in your pot.
• Now, add more potting mix, and gently press it down around the plant.
• You may decide to add some decorative pebbles to complete the look.
• Then give it a watering.
• When you’ve planted all your pots, arrange them according to your plan.

Planting

• Hanging Baskets Hanging baskets need a liner to stop the soil from falling out. You can use sphagnum moss or a coconut husk liner. So place that in first.
• Add some potting mix, leaving room for the plant.
• Remove the plant from its container.
• Place the plant in, add more potting mix, and press it firmly in place.
• Give it a watering.
• You’ll need to re-pot hanging baskets every six months, with fresh potting mix and new plants.

Plant choice: You can use almost any small plant for a hanging basket, as long as it doesn’t outgrow the basket.

• Summer Perennial Plants - These are the most popular plants for hanging baskets: petunias, geraniums, calibrachoa, trailing fuchsias, verbena, and lobelia.
• Tomatoes - The trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets.
• Herbs - Herbs such as basil, chives, rosemary and thyme are perfect for growing in baskets which makes handy picking for cooking.
• Instant colour - Pansies, violas, primulas, polyanthus, and cinerias are perfect for spring colour. Add some spring bulbs for that extra touch.

Watering

• How you care for your plant is crucial to their success and regular water is essential.
• Plants grown in small gardens and containers tend to dry out more than plants in the garden. This is because as the plant grows and the root ball becomes denser it makes it harder for water to penetrate.
• Watering plants daily in summer is recommended. Early morning or dusk is best as the sun during the day can magnify through water drops and burn the plants.
• Light summer showers won’t be enough to thoroughly water plants in containers so they’ll still need watering even after rain.
• In winter, depending upon the weather, patio pots may still need watering once a week. The best way to check for moisture is to push your finger down the side of the pot into the mix. If it feels dry, then the plant needs watering.
• Consider setting up an irrigation system, this is handy when you are away on holiday.

Water Retention

In hot and dry conditions it is a good idea to use additives in the potting mix to help increase soil moisture retention.

• Saturaid - This reduces water use by up to 50%. It promotes even water distribution so there is less water runoff and dry spots in the potting mix and soils. It makes watering, rainfall and fertilisers more effective, even in sandy, clay or compacted soils.
• Water Storage Granules - Water storage crystals store water to prevent the soil drying out, and help improve soil aeration and drainage. They are added to the potting mix or garden beds before planting and will absorb about 400 times their weight in water.
• Decorative stones - Placing stones on top of the container not only looks good but also helps conserve water, as they prevent evaporation.

Feeding

• On top of regular watering, feeding with fertiliser will also help your plants thrive.
• Use a pot and container fertiliser every six months.

Maintenance

• Remove older leaves, and any spent flowers.
• Remove weeds.

Pests & Disease

• Keeping your pots weed-free will help stop unwanted pests and diseases from ruining your plants.
• Keep a good eye out for pests and disease, and treat them accordingly. If in doubt take a photo and bring it in-store so we can help you find the right method.